Closing out Fiscal Year 2025

Aloha Chamber Ohana,

As we close out last fiscal year and celebrate our 175th Anniversary, I want to take a moment to recognize our collective impact. With your help, we have advanced the Chamber’s mission to grow Hawaii’s economy, strengthen our workforce, and champion the business community across the state.

Economic Development, Government & Community Relations drove impact at the Capitol, monitoring over 1,200 bills, securing $4 million in economic development funding, and celebrating statewide advocacy with our inaugural Business Advocacy Awards Gala. This past legislative session, we established the 2030 Blueprint Policy Structure to align the priorities of the business community in six key areas.

Education & Workforce Development reached 4,169 students and 246 employers across across work-based learning engagements. We held Hawaii’s first National Civics Bee with 77 applicants and a state champion, Ryker of Moanalua Middle School, will go on to compete in Washington, D.C. Kama‘aina Come Home® boasts its first professional who returned to Hawaii. Sector Partnerships expanded with Transportation Sector and convened 615 Hawaii businesses in employer collaboratives this year.

Our Young Professionals Program celebrated a new milestone of 500 members, hosted 51 events, and launched the Onward Hawaii Fellowship to develop the next generation of leaders in alignment with the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii.

The Military Affairs Council strengthened Hawaii’s position as the “first line of defense” in the Indo-Pacific, fostering military-civilian partnerships and growing local defense opportunities through the Hawaii Defense Alliance, P3I, and Ku‘i Hao initiatives.

The Events team brought our community together with 42 events and nearly 3,000 attendees, including an expanded Chamber Week, sold-out Health Summit, and the new Accelerator Showcase.

Marketing & Communications amplified our reach with a 221% increase in media coverage, a fresh new website, and a monthly Blueprint e-newsletter that’s engaging members like never before.

Membership surged thanks to our Membership Madness campaign, welcoming 60+ new members in March alone and we secured major Investor Circle partners such as TikTok, Instacart, and Meta. We’ve also designed a new member decal and distributed it to all of our members. Login to ChamberMaster to download the digital decal.

I’m so proud and fortunate to work with a team that continues to raise the bar and strengthen their work, which fulfills the mission of the Chamber. Together, these accomplishments reflect the Chamber’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient Hawaii for our businesses, workforce, and communities. We look forward to continuing the momentum in this new year.

Mahalo,